Taiko Retreat: Godai

October 11-18, 2026

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・4-day taiko live-in intensive

・3-day pilgrimage hike

・Local artist collaboration

About Taiko Retreat: Godai

4-day Live-in Intensive

Settle into a serene riverside hotel, exclusively reserved for our group and surrounded by the lush mountains of Wakayama. You'll enjoy daily taiko practice in a tatami hall, and nourishing handmade meals from local culinary artists. During your free time, take a walk in the forest, swim in the river, relax in a riverside sauna, or book a bodywork session such as massage, reiki, or acupuncture.

3-day Pilgrimage

Walk in the footsteps of seekers and sages on the sacred Kumano Kodo, a 1200-year-old pilgrimage route and UNESCO World Heritage site. Over three days, you'll visit the revered Grand Shrines of Kumano, reflecting on your taiko experience while immersed in natural beauty and spiritual history.

Local Artist Collaboration

We’ll connect with a Wakayama-based taiko group for a meaningful cultural exchange—whether through shared practice, dialogue, or an informal performance. This moment of connection brings our journey full circle.

A Life-Changing Experience

This retreat is more than a training—it's a journey. Awaken your spirit through powerful taiko drumming, breathwork, meditation, and movement. Feel your senses come alive as you move through elemental practice, sacred landscapes, and build connection.

About the Instructor

An internationally acclaimed Taiko artist, dancer, and interdisciplinary creator, Carrie Alita Carter brings over two decades of experience in performance and teaching. Known for a grounded, heart-forward approach, Carrie’s work blends traditional Japanese drumming with somatic practice, meditation, and movement research. Through Godai, Carrie invites participants into a deeper rhythm—one shaped by nature, community, and the wisdom of the elements.

Pricing & Updates

We’re excited to share that details for Taiko Retreat: Godai will be available soon! While we finalize pricing, be sure to sign up for our email list so you don’t miss out on the official announcements and registration details. Stay tuned for updates, and be the first to know when we open the doors to this transformative experience!

Taiko Retreat - Godai

Japanese Drumming Workshops + Hiking the Kumano Kodo

October 11 to 18, 2026

Experience the heartbeat of the Japanese countryside through an exclusive, tailor-made journey led by internationally renowned taiko artist and dancer Carrie Alita Carter. Taiko Retreat - Godai combines the powerful art of taiko drumming with the natural beauty of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Godai is the Japanese concept of the Five Elements—Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, and Void—each representing a fundamental force of nature. Taiko Retreat - Godai explores our deep connection to the natural world through taiko, movement, and meditation, allowing participants to experience rhythm as an extension of the elements around them.

This one-of-a-kind group tour offers a rare opportunity for 20 travelers to engage in over four full days of immersive taiko workshops, mastering the powerful beats and precise movements of this art form. Afterward, embark on a guided hike along the sacred Kumano Kodo, one of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes in the world. As you walk beneath towering cedar trees and follow paths traversed by emperors and common people for thousands of years, you'll discover an ancient landscape rich in spiritual significance and natural beauty.

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Briefly tell us about your taiko experience

Transparency

At Kumano Adventures, we want to ensure this experience aligns with what you're looking for. Each of our trips is thoughtfully designed, and this one has its own distinct pace, focus, and level of activity.

Accommodations: In many traditional Japanese inns, you'll sleep on a futon (cushoned mat) laid out on a tatami (woven straw) floor. While it may be different from what you're used to, many guests find it to be a cozy and restful experience. If you have concerns about comfort or mobility, please let us know—we’re happy to discuss options to help you rest well.
Meals: A typical Japanese meal includes a variety of small dishes featuring seasonal vegetables, seafood, and meat—often with a special emphasis on seafood and beef. Unlike in many Western restaurants, substitutions are not commonly offered, and menus are often fixed with limited options for customization. It’s important to know that traditional Japanese cuisine may not easily accommodate celiac or strictly vegetarian diets.
Hot springs: In Japan, hot spring bathing is traditionally done without bathing suits and is typically enjoyed nude in gender-separated baths. For those who prefer more privacy, many facilities offer the option to reserve private hot spring rooms, where you can relax in comfort on your own or with a travel companion. Your trip manager can help you reserve space.
Itinerary Changes: While we do our best to stick to the planned itinerary, sometimes unexpected changes come up—due to weather, local circumstances, or the availability of our partners on the ground. When that happens, we’ll let you know as soon as we can. Our priority is always to provide you with the best experience possible, even if that means adjusting plans along the way.